Tension device.



'm'ssmsm. Patented Ian. 22, I91". w. GERHABDT. TENSION DEVICE. (Application filed June 80, 1900.)

(No Model.)

IN VE N T 0/? 2522:8277? rZQ7WZ IIJIH --ATT lUNiTnn STATES PATENT FFICE.

WILLIAM GERHARDT, OF HAZLETON, PENNSYLVANIA.

TEN SlON DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 666,514, dated January 22, 1901.

Application filed June 30, 1900. Serial No. 22,143. (No modelf all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM GERHARDT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Hazleton, in the county of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved Tension Device, of which the following isa full, clear, and exact description.

The purpose of this invention is to provide to a tension device adapted particularly for controlling the wires leading the current to electrically-operated cloth-cutting machines, and which tension device permits entire freedom of movement of the machine without danger.

of cut-angling the wires.

This specification is the disclosure of one form of the invention, while the claim defines the actual scope thereof.

Referenceis to be had to the accompanying 2o drawings, forming a part of this specification,

in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side view of the invention. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4: is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

The device has a head a, which is in the form of a disk and is fastened to the ceiling of the room or other overhead support by means of screws 1), which pass through the head and into the ceiling, spacing-blocks 0 being interposed between the ceiling and the head to hold the head away from the ceiling. A tubular connection (Z is fastened centrally in 5 the head and projects down below the same, and on this tube (1 a block 6 is loosely mounted. To the sides of the block e two ringsf are rigidly secured, the rings projecting down below the block and being spaced apart thereby,

the block lying between the rings. Pins 9 are fastened rigidly in the rings and extend between them, and these pins carry sheaves 72., over which the wires 1' are rove, the wires passing between the rings, as illustrated in Fig. 1. These rings f form the body of the tension device, and the wires 01 are passed up through the tube 02, and from this point the wires extend to the source of electrical supply. The sheaves h are here shown to be three in number, two of which are used, the other beingillustrated idle. The wires 1 may be disposed in other relations with respect to the sheaves, as will be apparent. The wires are disposed on the sheaves so as to form a loop, from which a weight k is hung, this weight having a sheave Z, over which the wires run. Now it is clear that this weight will take up the slack in the wires, keeping them always taut, and at the same time permitting the wires to be drawn out as the ma- 6o chine is moved away from the tension device.

It will also be seen that owing to the loose arrangement of the block eon the tube or connection d the body of the device, composed of the ringsf, may be turned freely around, thus avoiding twisting the wires.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent A tension device, comprising a head, means for fastening the head to an overhead support, a rigid pivot-tube fitted centrally in the head, a frame comprising two annular members with a block fastened between them, the block being mounted to turn on the pivottube, whereby the frame is supported, and sheaves mounted in the frame between the annular members and serving to carry the flexible connection which passes between the members of the frame and out through the pivot-tube.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM GERHARDT.

Witnesses:

G. B. OWENS, JNo. M. BITTER. 

